Going to Park City question on Equipment

This will be my first trip out west in a few years, and I wanted to get feedback on if bringing my Blizzard Bushwhackers was worth it, or should I demo something wider. We are going in Feb, and the boots are definitely coming, but I was wondering if 88mm waisted skis are too narrow to warrant the ski bag and airline checking rodeo. I am an enthusiastic intermediate on the east coast, where we never get deep snow. This would be my first chance to really possibly see powder, but my plan is to tackle as much intermediate terrain on the front side as I can at various resorts. I want to ski some ungroomed runs too to try powder, and thus my question of demo'ing or bringing my own. People going with me say that it isnt even worth bringing the 88mm for powder, and even over night snow could make the ungroomed frontside runs would be too much. Instead people recommended ski's in the 100mm category, as they can drive all over... is that a big enough difference to leave the BW's at home? Thoughts?

Thanks for the reply, when it comes to wider are we talking 100mm or 110mm... I can't see my myself needing paddles just yet, but I'm curious as to what difference 10mm makes in typical western conditions. I know the east fairly well, but have never had the chance yet to see fresh snow out west.

I think a lot depends on the ski design rather than just waist width, but for reference 98mm is my personal ski for anything from ice to 3", and for anything more than 3" new snow I grab my 132mm fatties (both are early rise tip/tail -- I don't even bother with cambered skis nowadays).

If there is anything more than a couple of inches when/where you go I would ask to demo the biggest, fattest powder skis they have just so you can get the maximum effect. The last time I demo'ed they said I could come in and exchange for different skis during the day if I wanted, so you might be able to do the same.

Thanks for the reply, when it comes to wider are we talking 100mm or 110mm... I can't see my myself needing paddles just yet, but I'm curious as to what difference 10mm makes in typical western conditions.

Not that much. But width isn't the only factor. Stiffness, amount of tip and tail rocker, campber under foot or not, sidecut--all will matter more than 10mm. If you do decide to demo you can try a lot of different skis-several per day if you like--and see what you like. And if it hasn't snowed in a week and none in the forecast bring the Blizzards. You can ski powder on the Bushwhackers too but it will be a harder and more frustrating.